O-hanami 2012

I went to Arakura Sengen Shrine in Fujiyoshida city today.

It must be the most popular place for taking a "Mt. Fuji & sakura & pagoda" picture. The front cover picture of the 1st edition of Lonely Planet Discover Japan was taken at the exact same place.

But I am wondering when it was taken, because if it's April there must be more snow on Mt. Fuji....

Saruhashi (Monkey Bridge)

Legend has it that this bridge was built imitating the scene of some monkeys were in line like a bridge across the Katsura river. That's why it's called "Saru (=monkey)-hashi (=bridge)". It is one of Three Odd Bridges in Japan. This place is also famous for it's beautiful colored leaves in Autumn.

I went there and crossd over. The bridge is made of Japanese cypress, so it smelled very nice.

About Saruhashi (Japanese)

And if you have a chance to visit there, try "Atsuyaki senbei (thick cracker)". It is tooooo hard to crack! Please don't bite it off unless you have strong teeth!

Yamabushi

Last Wednesday, I went to a udon-noodle shop with my co-workers. While we were eating very hard udon, which is now getting popular as "Yoshida-no-udon", very unique clothing men were coming inside the shop.... They are called Yamabushi or Shugenja. Maybe they climbed Mt. Fuji the day before and stopped for lunch on their way home.... Even in Japan we don't see such people often, so we were very excited!

Fuji-Ginkei ( a Japanese inn in Kawaguchiko area)

I highly recommend "Fuji-Ginkei" if you come to Kawaguchiko with your family. This contemporary Japanese style inn is currently undergone a renovation. Each guest room and the open-air bath have aesthetic views of Mt. Fuji. It features beautifully arranged delicious cuisine cooked with fine seasonal ingredients. The friendly staff welcome you with a smile and offer excellent hospitality.

Beautiful scenery from the open-air bath.



From the room...



From the restaurant.



All rooms have tatami-mat floor. You can enjoy lying on tatami like we do. (So confortable!)







This is the best Fuji-kawaguchiko area's B&B (actually it's not B&B, though) in "Tripadvisor".

Fuji-reien (Fuji Cemetery)

I have tried many times to write something about the 311 disaster. I still cannot believe what happened, though. Now I can say is "we are alive".






I went to "Fuji Cemetery" last week. It is located in Gotemba area in Shizuoka pref. It's well known about its beautiful gardens, which are very well maintained. When I went there, azaleas were almost in full bloom. Mt. Fuji was seen from there, but I think.... I know most Shizuoka people have counter opinion.... the shape of Mt. Fuji seen from Yamanashi-side is more beautiful!

Asumi Lotus Lake （明見湖・蓮池）

Asumi Lotus Lake (not so big, but it's considered as one of fuji "eight" lakes... ) is located in Asumi area in Fujiyoshida-city. I have never seen so many lotus flowers at one time. We can enjoy this beautiful scenery until 20th of August this year. According to a man who has long been taking care of this lake, his ancestor "Uhei Hirose" transplanted some of them about 200 years ago. It's the origin of this lotus lake, they said. Next time I want to go there before dawn to hear the sound of flower blooming.

Nagomi ( coffee & pottery shop )

If you are a coffee-drinker and interested in pottery, this shop must satisfy you. They have some lacquerware as well. Just for looking would be fun. Coffee tasting is possible.

Otsuka yama （大塚丘）

Thomas Train

How to get to Arakura Sengen Shrine

View Larger Map

A Happy New Year

Wishing you a joyous holiday season and all the best that the NEW YEAR can bring !

I went to Arakura Sengen Shrine today. When you hike up the hill, you can see this beautiful scenery. This pagoda, we usually call it "Chu-rei-to", was built to pay homage to war dead. There are number of sakura t rees. So this place is quite popular to take a "sakura & Mt.Fuji & a pagoda " picture in spring.

Araya-yama Shrine (Kinun-jinja) on 2nd stn. of Mt. Fuji

These pictures were taken when I went to a shrine called "Kinun(=economic fortune)-jinja". It is located on the 2nd station of Mt. Fuji along Takizawa-rindo in Fujiyoshida city. This shrine is getting very popular since it was introduced by Mr. Yukio Funai as one of the very powerful energy spots. I am looking forward to becoming a millionaire sooner or later!

One of the 5 lakes

Lake Motosu is the deepest lake of Fuji 5 lakes. A lava flow of Jogan eruption (864A.D.) divided lake Old Se into 3 lakes, lake Sai, Shoji, and Motosu. A picture of Mt.Fuji over this lake, which was taken by Koyo Okada (岡田紅葉), is printed on current 1,000yen bill and former 5,000yen bill.

I had lunch at Honjin Tsukasa. I love deep-fried shrimp!